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Opinion Contributor

A vote for an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy

Independent Angus King will join the Senate as a former a wind project developer. | AP Photo

By DENISE BODE | 11/15/12 4:33 AM EST

The results of the 2012 elections represent a paradigm shift in U.S. energy policy.

As the 18th-century English diarist Samuel Johnson said, “the prospect of a hanging concentrates the mind wonderfully.” In the energy field, it was the oil shocks of the 1970s that first focused our attention on the peril of banking our future on fossil fuels alone.

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Since then, policy makers, industry leaders and consumers have accelerated development of all energy sources, such as wind power, that help reduce our dependence on foreign energy, create new jobs that can’t be outsourced, and boost local economies.

The result? Voters in last week’s elections endorsed candidates who support an “all-of-the-above” energy policy that promotes a diversified portfolio of energy resources, specifically wind energy and the extension of its primary federal incentive, the Production Tax Credit (PTC).

At the outset of the 2012 presidential campaign, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) partnered with POLITICO to convene an event series called “Energy and the Presidency.” We brought lawmakers, energy experts and key reporters together to discuss how Americans benefit from an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

We convened these panels in Washington, D.C.; in Iowa as the caucus season got underway; and at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, to ensure that energy policy was discussed at the highest level of the current policy debate. And unlike so much of what we heard and read about during the election, these discussions have been truly bipartisan.

The wind industry’s primary incentive, the Production Tax Credit (PTC), has attracted as much support from both congressional Republicans and Democrats as any tax policy that’s come before Congress this year. As former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said at the Energy and the Presidency panel at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, “global clean energy is the future, and politics is not going to stop that.”

Gov. Richardson shared some statistics to support this view. “By 2016, the global wind market will top $93.1 billion,” he said. “Since 2006, 36 percent of new electric capacity in the U.S. has come from wind energy. And the cost of wind is expected to fall 12 percent in the next 5 years.”

That’s not politics—those are facts. It’s no wonder so many leaders on both sides of the aisle support vital steps towards energy and economic security such as extending the PTC.

Among the dozens of Republican wind champions reelected to Congress, for example, were outspoken House supporters Reps. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.), Steve King and Tom Latham (R-Iowa), and Senator-elect Dean Heller (R-Nev.).

Independent Angus King, a wind project developer since leaving the governorship in Maine, won his race for the open Senate seat there.

Swing states with numerous wind farms as well as wind factories went for President Obama, whose campaign took the position that the wind energy Production Tax Credit should be extended. They included Iowa and Colorado — where layoffs have struck wind energy factories because of uncertainty over when Congress will address the tax credit, which expires at the end of this year — and Michigan and Ohio, states important to the wind energy supply chain which also have untapped wind resources under development.

Another key backer of wind energy is Governor Terry Branstad (R-Iowa). At the Energy and the Presidency panel during the Iowa caucuses, Branstad recalled that in 1983 he signed the first renewable energy standard into law, setting a precedent that has now been followed by 28 other states and the District of Columbia.

“Renewable energy is real important to our state,” Branstad told us. “We’re proud to be the leader in wind energy. Wind energy has opened up some great new manufacturing opportunities and also great job opportunities not only in the building of wind farms but also in maintenance.”

As everyone knows who attended our POLITICO panels, or watched them streaming online, wind power can no longer be called “alternative,” since it now is a mainstream source of American electricity.

That’s why it’s so important we don’t turn back the clock on bipartisan support for investment in wind energy production. Why do so many Republicans and Democrats agree on extending the PTC? Because we all want the homegrown, affordable, clean and abundant energy that the power of wind offers. We also want the American wind energy jobs to continue to grow as they have over the past several years.

Congress this week embarks on a lame-duck session that will include action to renew the PTC until all energy incentives are on the table during the corporate tax reform debate expected next year. Failure to extend the PTC would cost 37,000 jobs immediately, and put the brakes on the progress America has made to diversity its electricity portfolio. Wind should not be the only energy source without any federal incentive, as it would be if the PTC is allowed to expire.

Elections are about choices, and it’s clear that in 2012, the American people have chosen candidates who support renewable energy. We don’t have to choose a single path towards our energy future. We can have it all — all of the above.

Denise Bode is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Wind Energy Association.

It would be short sighted to consider energy by itself and not consider fresh water and security along with energy.

Fossil fuel power plants including natural gas consume 50% of the total water consumed each year in America. Fresh water especially aquifers should soon be off limits to power plants and assigned to people, farming, and livestock.

As for security, large massive nuclear and fossil fuel power plants and long haul grids are not only vastly inefficient but also security targets. Is it correct that 70% of the total power generated is lost on the transmission lines?

Small distributed power from solar, wind, tidal provides self-sufficiency and high-efficiency.

Algae-based (not biofuel) diesel is being sold in California at the same price as oil-based diesel. Oil is old algae so the two are exactly the same.

So, why spend taxpayer money building infrastructure for a finite fossil fuel resource while infinite solar, wind, tidal, and homegrown algae technology is here? The finite fossil fuel will cost more as its supply diminishes; much like oil being $100/barrel. it's time to take the long view, the technologies are already here.

We have centuries worth of energy within our continent. It is not finite. Oil is not produced from decaying dinosaurs. Why some of you believe what you believe is beyond my comprehension.

According to the media, we were in a recession in 2006 when unemployment was 5.4% and gas cost $1.82 per gallon. Today, we're experiencing an outright economic boom! I guess, according to the media, the higher these numbers go (gas and unemployment) the better the times are economically. We should be doing just peachy when the effects of liberal policies kick into full gear.

The coal companies might have something to say about the claim of natural gas being our most abundant resource. What many Americans don't seem to acknowledge is that we've been the Saudi Arabia of coal longer than Saudi Arabia has been a country. Though I am not suggesting that we continue to utilize coal for energy production in the manner it has been in the past.

Fisher,

Get some new radio and TV stations on your listen/watch list. No one is claiming we're in an economic boom. Gas prices are directly linked to oil prices on the world market and the capacity to refine that oil into gasoline; they have nothing to do with liberal policies of one nation. And unemployment has more to do with consumer spending in this country than anything else. That's what happens when 2/3 of a nation's GDP is dependent upon consumer spending. We spent too much as individuals for too long. Easy credit and inflated housing equity will do that to people. The retrenchment was a necessary but painful reaction to the bubbles bursting.

Ms. Bode is spewing the same old claims we've heard from Big Wind for the past 20+ years. Unfortunately for her and her cohorts at Big Wind, nothing has changed -- Wind is STILL an abysmal, UNRELIABLE, INEFFICIENT, ERRATIC ELECTRICITY source, and as such, can do absolutely nothing to reduce our dependence on "foreign oil."

Perhaps Ms. Bode can convince energy-illiterate, greed-driven crony-capitalists to buy in on her BS, but most Americans are far smarter than she gives them credit for. People are sick & tired of having our taxpayer & ratepayer dollars RIPPED OFF to fund "The Wind Farm Scam" (available at Amazon.com).

Wind is a NET JOBS LOSER, in large part, as Presidnet Obama forewarned, because of its' "necessarily skyrocketing" prices which will hurt families, businesses, and our nation's poor the most!

What industrial wind installations look like in Iowa are a far cry from what is going on in the more populated states like NY. Ridiculous subsidies like the PTC have created nothing less than a corporate welfare feeding frenzy that is driving blood-sucking Corporations (i.e. - GE, BP, AES, FPL, NextEra, Iberdrola, etc.) to come into our rural/residential Towns and run roughshod over local citizens. They are siting 450+ foot-tall industrial wind turbines throughout entire Townships, surrounding many folks on all sides -- only 600' - 1100' feet from the foundations of their homes on all sides -- with infrasound-emitting industrial machines, leaving many suffering ill effects that have been called "Wind Turbine Syndrome". These folks' most expensive life investments - their homes, have been completely devalued, while Big Corporate is laughing all the way to the bank.

Frankly, Ms. Bode, you and your AWEA cohorts - and all the Crony-Capitalists involved, are despicable. I don't know how you sleep at night. Oh yeah -- you're busy counting all of the money you stole from all of us - ALL U.S. taxpayers.

What we need is an "All of the Sensible" energy policy -- energy sources that provide reliable, affordable energy that is economically, environmentally, and scientifically sound. That leaves wind definitively out! See: www.windpowerfacts.info and www.PTCFacts.Info

MK711 - who is spewing? Ms. Bode presents facts and reasoned positions, based on government and academic published research. Your post is full of insults, name calling, and libelous accusations.

I don't waste my time refuting such posts.

Suffice it to say, methinks thou doth protest too much.

If you truly believe that wind power is not a mainstream energy source in nearly every industrial nation, you are sadly misinformed. If you are a paid agent of the fossil fuel industry and their funded front organizations, I feel sorry for you that you have sacrificed your integrity and sunk so low as to misinform Politico readers, whose scientific literacy is far beyond yours, and who are not so easily duped by diatribe.

This year the US had its smallest carbon emissions in the last 20 years due to natural gas. If it is safe- and fracking should be monitored- it is the way to go for the forseeable future. Wind will make some contribution, I suppose, though Boone lost millions backing it. Corn ethanol needs to be phased out.

Ms Bode starts her discussion with "all of the above" energy policy, but quickly focusses on wind -- as one would expect. I agree with her that wind has made great strides and should play an important role in our energy mix going forward. However, wind does face a critical test, if it is to survive over the longer term. It must demonstrate that it can compete with other energy sources without large federal subsidies. I agree that the production tax credit was a great vehicle to introduce wind into the energy mix but it also needs to end -- not abruptly -- but it should be phased out gradually with a well defined sunset date.

Our "all of the above" energy policy must address a few other issues as well. First we need to manage a gradual transition from coal to natural gas -- yes shale gas -- to produce electricity. That in itself will have a major impact on greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time it may even reduce the price of electricity. Fracking is controversial and can cause environmental damage. Better regulation of fracking must be a critical part of our energy policy.

The final point I want to make is about oil. A recent IEA report suggested that we may be producing as much if not more oil than Saudi Arabia. That is a two edged sword. The good side is that it allows us have a better control of our energy future -- a goal every President has aspired to since President Nixon. The negative side is that it may reduce our focus on improved fuel efficiency in the transportation sector. The administration has made good strides in this area and we must make sure that our energy policy continues to empha it even if we are producing a lot more oil.

For somebody who says you "don't bother reading such posts" (in reference to mine), you obviously did, as your post was spent trying to insult me for printing what is the absolute TRUTH! Did you bother to read either of the two reports I posted: "Subsidizing Big Wind: The Real Cost to Taxpayers" - Manhattan Institute: http://www.manhattan-institute... and "New York State's Money-Road to Nowhere":http://www.masterresource.org/...

For your information sir, I have been living this nightmare over the past decade here in my home area of Wyoming County in Western New York State. Our area has been under siege by unscrupulous wind developers for the past decade. These charlatans LIE STRAIGHT TO YOUR FACE in their efforts to shove the wind scam down our throats.

One of Horizon Wind's salesmen (owned by Goldman Sachs at the time - now owned by Energias dePortugal), was overheard saying in one of our local restaurants, "We are going to get rich off these hicks." Another of their salesmen told neighbors that "They might as well sign on, as their neighbors already had." Unfortunately for that salesmen, that guy's neighbor happened to be a relative who he knew had NOT signed. He wasted no time in showing the guy the door. These are just a few of the hundreds of incidents I could go on detailing for you. You needn't wonder why there is NO love lost around here for these corporate hucksters.

The Documentary, "Windfall", is a completely accurate portrayal of what has been going on here in rural New York State, and across rural America. "Windfall" is a 'MUST WATCH' for all "Public Servants" charged with voting on this issue! "Windfall" is available on NetFlix. The Trailer can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/87TGW9eLAtU

The sad reality is that Big Wind LLCs (with the help of their political cronies) are shoehorning the mammoth footprints of 450 - 500 foot-tall industrial wind factories into much more densely-populated areas in many states across the nation (than what people see pictured in the wide open fields of Iowa shown on TV ads) - with absolutely NO care for the devastation of the communities and residents lives that they are ruining along the way.

Peoples homes are being surrounded with these industrial monstrosities cited only 600 - 1100 feet from the foundations of their homes - on all sides! These folks' homes and properties have been rendered virtually worthless, and many suffer ill-effects from 'infrasound' known as "Wind Turbine Syndrome." Would you buy and move your family into one of these homes, Mr. Williams? You know darn well that you wouldn't! It is hard to believe that this is going on in the United States of America, but it is, and it is completely UNACCEPTABLE!

As Environmentalist Jon Boone accurately said, "The only thing that has ever been reliably-generated by industrial wind is complete and utter civil discord." (See his many writings on the industrial wind mess at www.stopillwind.org and www.MasterResource.org)

Denise Bode, thanks so much for more of a continuation of your "all of the nonsense" approach. Only the willfully ignorant or the corrupt (or both) want to extend the PTC, or any other public money, to industrial wind. Bode seems to be trying to revive AWEA's earlier lies about there being a relationship between "foreign" energy and electricity. Yes, MN does import hydro electricity from Canada, but our relations with Canada have been pretty friendly for the last couple hundred years. I really like laughing out loud at Bode's FOX interview when she says the wind is a 'flexible' electrical source like natural gas. Bode is confused about the difference between 'flexible' and 'unreliable/unpredictable'.

Spanish owned Gamesa is proposing to build wind turbines on sinkholes at their SE MN "Eco Harmony" project. I call that irony: fiscal sinkholes on real sinkholes. New Era/ AWA Goodhue (formerly owned by T. Boone Pickens) is seeking a federal permit to kill Bald Eagles - treating them like game birds with up to a 5% per year "harvest".

MN is #5 in the US for electricity produced by wind. 60-70% of MN wind power is produced when the utilities cannot use it - though MN utilities are mandated to buy the useless electricity at high rates to fulfill the MN 25X25 wind mandate. Wind fufills zero of the basic requirements for an electrical generator: reliable, dispatchable, efficient, safe and cost effective. Wind produces zero scientifically proven environmental benefits, has negative human health effects for people living nearby, and kills countless bats and hundreds of thousands of birds including our national symbol of freedom - the Bald Eagle. Over 90% of the money goes to Wall Street and to European developers.

MK11 is exactly correct about the fraud and swindle taking place in rural America - I have witnessed it first hand for the past three years. MK11 is also spot-on about the movie "Windfall" it should be mandatory viewing for all elected officials and their staff.

Please US House, US Senate and Governors - get a grip on reality and stop shoveling $billions at a failed energy idea with absolutely no scientific basis - industrial wind. We have already squandered $billions on bubbles, kites, rainbows and unicorns. NO MORE PTC!!